Flare 2024

View other Flare Films by strand: Galas, Hearts, Minds, Shorts

I Don't Know Who You Are I Don't Know Who You Are
I Don't Know Who You Are and Life Is Not A Competition, But I'm Winning
Backspot (Country: US, Canada; Year: 2023; Director: DW Waterson; Writer: Joanne Sarazen, DW Waterson; Stars: Devery Jacobs, Evan Rachel Wood, Shannyn Sossamon, Wendy Crewson, Olunike Adeliyi)
Riley is given the chance to cheer with the all-star squad, Thunderhawks. With a competition looming, Riley must navigate her crippling anxiety, her relationship with her girlfriend, and her desperate need for approval from her new coach.
Departing Seniors (Country: US; Year: 2023; Director: Clare Cooney; Stars: Ignacio Diaz-Silverio, Yani Gellman, Ireon Roach, Maisie Merlock)
After an act of bullying sends kind but awkward high school senior Javier to the hospital, he begins having psychic visions that reveal the horrifying truth behind a rash of supposed suicides at his school. It is now up to him and his sarcastic best friend Bianca to unmask a serial killer who’s targeting his classmates before it’s too late.
I Don't Know Who You Are (Country: Canada; Year: 2023; Director: MH Murray; Writer: Writers Mark Clennon, Victoria Long, MH Murray; Stars: Mark Clennon, Anthony Diaz, Nat Patricia Manuel, Deragh Campbell, Victoria Long)
A gay musician spends his weekend trying to find the money for HIV-preventive treatment after being sexually assaulted by a stranger.
Join The Club (Country: US; Year: 2023; Director: Kip Andersen, Chris O’Connell)
When Dennis Peron’s lover dies of AIDS, he realises that his vocation as a pot dealer could be put to good use – as medicine for those suffering from the physical and mental effects of the disease. With boundless passion, street smarts and wit, Peron outsmarts the police and opens cannabis cafes.
Life Is Not A Competition, But I'm Winning (Country: Germany; Year: 2023; Director: Julia Fuhr Mann; Writer: Julia Fuhr Mann)
Consideration of the historic bias against female Black and queer athletes.
Love Lies Bleeding Love Lies Bleeding
Love Lies Bleeding and Slow
Love Lies Bleeding (Country: UK, US; Year: 2024; Director: Rose Glass; Writer: Rose Glass, Weronika Tofilska; Stars: Kristen Stewart, Katy M. O'Brian, Ed Harris, Dave Franco, Jena Malone)
Reclusive gym manager Lou falls hard for Jackie, an ambitious bodybuilder headed through town to Las Vegas in pursuit of her dream. But their love ignites violence, pulling them deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family.
Riley (Country: US; Year: 2023; Director: Benjamin Howard; Writer: Benjamin Howard; Stars: Jake Holley, Colin McCalla, Connor Storrie)
The boy who has it all in his final year of high school is living a secret gay life. His girlfriend, family and teammates all realise something is unravelling. The intense strain of living a lie is made worse by a series of sexual encounters on Grindr or with classmates.
Silver Haze (Country: Netherlands, UK; Year: 2023; Director: Sacha Polak)
Franky comes from a gritty East London borough and works as a nurse. When she falls head over heels in love with her patient Florence, her life changes profoundly.
Slow (Country: Lithuania, Spain, Sweden; Year: 2023; Director: Marija Kavtaradze; Stars: Greta Grinevičiūtė, Kęstutis Cicėnas)
Dancer Elena and sign language interpreter Dovydas meet and form a beautiful bond. As they dive into a new relationship, they must navigate how to build their own kind of intimacy.
The Summer With Carmen (Country: Greece; Year: 2023; Director: Zacharias Mavroeidis; Writer: Fondas Chalatsis, Zacharias Mavroeidis)
While enjoying a day at Athens’ queer beach, 30-something Demosthenes offers to help his bestie and aspiring filmmaker Nikitas in drafting an idea for his feature debut, inspired by the events surrounding a certain dog named Carmen.
We Are Perfect (Country: Poland; Year: 2023; Director: Marek Kozakiewicz; Writer: Marek Kozakiewicz)
Transgender and non-binary young people, and their wider families and support networks, stand up to widespread hostility in Poland, where legally changing your gender involves suing your parents in court.
News

59th New York Film Festival early bird highlights Futura, Jane By Charlotte, James Baldwin: From Another Place and The Velvet Underground

More news and features

Playing Now

Eye For Film continues to support festivals both locally and across the world. At the moment, we're covering:

Sands Film Festival
Weekend film event in St Andrews

Queer East

Visions du Réel
Swiss documentary showcase

Overlook Film Festival

New Directors/New Films
New York's celebration of new voices

In the Archive


Archive of festival coverage.

Daily diary and reviews from 2005-2018.

Coverage of the lynchpin German festival.